Micrometer.



.E. J. LEES.

MIGROMETER.

APPLIOATION FILED mum, 190s.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

0., WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST .T. LEES, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GRANT-LEES MACHINE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

MICROME TER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

Application filed January 2, 1908. Serial No. 408,865.

To all who-m it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST J. LEES, a citizen of the United States, resident of (.leveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Micrometers, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present invention relating, as indicated, to micrometers has regard more particularly to devices of this sort intended for use in connection with metal working machines of various kinds, such as planing, grinding and milling machines, or any machine, whether for working metal or other material, in which it becomes necessary or desirable to accurately measure off a definite distance or work up to a predetermined point or line.

The object of the present invention is the provision of simple and effective means whereby the above result may be accomplished, not only for a single operation but for a series of repeated operations, if so desired.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings: Figure l is a side elevation of a micrometer embodying my several impro\'*ements as adapted for use in connection with a screw feed to move a carriage in a machine of the general character above described; Fig. 2 is a partial crosssection and partial end elevation of such micrometer attachment; Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section of a portion of the same taken on the line 33, Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a transverse section of a port-ion thereof taken on the line 4L4 Fig. l; and Fig. 5 is a broken view of a detail showing a slightly modified form of construction.

Of the machine proper to which my invention is shown as being attached, a portion only is represented in the several figures just described, such portions consisting of the frame A and a carriage A slidably mounted thereon. For the present purpose it is obviously immaterial whether such carriage be designed to support the work or the tool which operates thereon, the operation of the. micrometer being exactly the same in either case. Movement of the slide or carriage A is effected in the way usual in machines of this sort, by means of a feed screw a mounted in bearings a in the frame (of such bearings one only is shown in the drawings, see Fig. 3) whereby it is held against longitudinal movement while still being freely rotatable. The threaded portion of the feed screw engages a nut a secured to the under side of the slide A, as a result of which construction it will be apparent that rotation of the feed screw will effect longitudinal movement of the slide in one direction or the other depending upon the direction of the rotation. It is with means for accurately gaging the amount of such rotation, and consequent movement of the slide, from any particular predetermined starting point that the present invention is particularly concerned.

The means entering into the present specific form of my invention comprise first of all a pinion B rotatably mounted upon the outer projecting end of feed screw a. This pinion is in effect simply a sleeve into which the teeth have been cut and bears at its inner and outer ends respectively, a dial member Z2 and a clutch member 6 that are rigidly secured thereto, and that are, for all but purposes of manufacture, an integral part therewith. Keyed upon the outer end of the feed screw a is a hand-wheel B, rotation of which it will thus be seen is effective to rotate the screw and thereby to locate and move the slide A. The rear face of such hand-wheel is formed to cooperate with clutch member 6 so that when held in frictional contact therewith by means of a binder nut Z) threaded on the extreme end of the feed screw, rotation of the wheel not only rotates the feed screw but also the pinion B and with it dial 6. Clutch member I) is formed with a hub portion adapting it to be readily seized by the hand to rotate the pinion and thereby the dial when such clutch member is disconnected from the hand wheel B.

Mounted independently of feed screw a and directly below the same so as to be freely rotatable is a gear B that meshes with the pinion B just described. This gear is provided at one point in its periphery with a stop 6 directed rearwardly so as to engage with dial b upon proper rotation of the gear. Secured in the frame A of the machine so as to be cooperative with the dial 1) is a pointer b by reference to which the dial may be positioned. Such dial has its face graduated in the usual way being divided into the proper number of parts, having due regard to the pitch of the feed screw, to enable the securing of a movement of the slide through the desired minimum distance which is usually one-thousandth of an inch. Thus where the screw has a lead or pitch of one-tenth inch, the dial will be divided into a hundred equal parts so that rotation of the dial through an angular distance equal to one such part, or graduation, will effect such minimum adjustment of the carriage or slide.

The operation of the device, as thus far de scribed, may now be briefly set forth. Assuming that from the predetermined position from which the slide is resting it is desired to advance the same through any desired distance, for example 0.359 inches, hand-wheel B will be disconnected from clutch b by loosening binder nut 6 The pinion, being now freely rotatable, is turned in a forward direction until stop 6 is brought against the dial and its further movement prevented. The arrangement of the graduations on the dial is designed to be such that when in this locked position the zero point thereon will be brought into exact alinement with the line on pointer Z), The pinion is now rotated in a reverse direction until the desired number of complete tenths of inches are marked off and the mark on the dial indicating the desired number of hundredths and thousandths then brought into register with the pointer. When thus positioned, binder nut b is again utilized to lock the pinion to the feed screw. The effect of the rotation of the pinion just described will obviously be to remove stop 6 from its locking position to a distance proportioned to the amount of such rotation. The feeding operation proper can thereupon be begun by rotation of the feed screw and obviously as soon as the desired distance has been measured ofi further movement will'be stopped by engagement of the stop with the dial as before. During such feeding movement the slide may be withdrawn a part or the whole of the distance through which it has been moved and then advanced with absolute certainty that the final position to which it can be brought is the one desired. In the same way any number of similar operations ma be repeated, starting from the same initial ad ustment and moving the slide through the same distance. This would prove particularly desirable in cutting duplicate gears as in a gear cutting machine where successive gears occupy the same relative positions on the slide, so that the limit of the slides movement accordingly will determine for blanks of the same size the proper limit of the cut in each one.

In the operation as just described it has been assumed that the feed screw is operated manually by means of the hand wheel B. Obviously this will ordinarily be more conveniently done by automatic means and one illustrative form of such means are accordingly shown therewith. Such means consist of an oscillatory or rock shaft C that is conveniently utilized as a support for the gear B to which its motion, however, is not communicated. It is effective, however, to rock an arm 0 and thereby a pawl arm 0 through the medium of a connecting link 0 The connection of link 0 with arm 0 is adjustable so that the amount of movement imparted to the pawl arm may be varied as will be readily understood. Such pawl arm bears the usual pawl c that is optionally held in engagement with a ratchet wheel C, or not, as desired, by a spring 0 Ratchet wheel C is frictionally secured to shaft a by disks 0 of leather or like material pressed against its sides by means of a clamp nut 0". By suitably varying the pressure exerted by such clamp nut, the ratchet wheel, while normally frictionally secured to the shaft so as to be effective to rotate the same, can continue rotating without such effect when the shaft is locked against movement by engagement of stop b with the indicator 1) in the manner previously described.

It will accordingly be seen that by use of such automatic actuating means for the feed screw in conjunction with my improved micrometer when once the machine has been properly adjusted it may be left to operate without further attention since it cannot possibly out beyond the mark appointed. The convenience of this feature in the operation of machines of the class in hand need not be pointed out at any great length, being sufiiciently obvious to those familiar with the difliculties of such operation. Instead of requiring the careful and continuous attention of the operator they may be left to themselves as completely as an automatic screwmachine. This combined with the simple and easily comprehended mode of adjusting the micrometer to effect any desired movement of the slide render the device peculiarly fool-proof which is a desideratum always to be sought in such machines.

In Fig. 5, is shown a slight modification in the construction of gear B in that stop 7) instead of being immovably secured thereto is adjustably attached. This is a matter of necessity where it is not possible or convenient to have a gear of large enough diameter 9 and meshing with said pinion; and a stop relatively to pinion B to permit movement a of the slide A through its entire range. Independent adjustment of the stop may also be substituted for rotation of the gear through the pinion as is necessary in the form of the device first described. This mode of adjustment will be of obvious utility Where two stops are employed, one to limit and define the forward, the other, the rearward movement of the slide.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a device of the character described, the combination of feeding means; an indicator member movably mounted with respect to said feeding means; means adapted to secure said member to said means; and means adapted to limit the movement of said member, said limiting means and member being relatively adjustable through a distance greater than the length of said member, and in a predetermined ratio, substantially as described.

In a device of the character described, the combination of a feed-screw; an indicator member rotatably mounted thereon; means adapted to secure said member to said screw; and means adapted to limit the rotation of said member, said member and limiting means being relatit ely adjustable through more than one rotation of said member. and in a predetermined ratio, sub stantially as described.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a feed-screw; a toothed member rotatably mounted on said screw; means adapted to secure said member to said screw; and another toothed member inclependently supported and meshing with said first member, said second member bearing a stop adapted to engage said first member and thereby lock said screw against further rotation.

4-. In a device of the character described, the combination of a feed'screw; a pinion rotatably mounted on said screw; means adapted to secure said member to said screw; and a gear independently mounted and meshing with said pinion, said gear bearing a stop adapted to engage said pinion and thereby lock said screw against rotation.

In a device of the character described, the combination of a feed-screw; a pinion, bearing graduations constituting it an indicator member, rotatably mounted on said screw; means adapted to secure said member to said screw; a gear independently mounted adjustably mounted upon said gear and adapted to engage said pinion and thereby lock said screw against rotation.

(3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a feed-screw; a pinion rotatably mounted upon said screw and bearing a dial; a relatively fixed pointer cooperative with said dial; a hand Wheel mounted upon said screw so as to rotate therewith; clutch means adapted to secure said pinion to said wheel and thereby to said screw; and a gear independently mounted and meshing with said pinion, said gear bearing a stop adapted to engage said pinion and thereby lock said screw against rotation.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a member to be moved, means adapted to move the same, means adapted to interrupt such movement, a second member mounted so as to be movable independently of said first member and operatively connected with said interrupting means, and means adapted to connect said second member with said first member in various relations to said interrupting means, said member and interrupting means being relatively adjustable through a distance greater than the length of said member, and in a predetermined ratio, substantially as described.

8. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a member to be moved, means adapted to move the same, means adapted to interrupt such movement, an indicator member movably mounted with respect to said first member and operatively connected with said interrupting means, said indicator member and interrupting means being relatively adjustable through a distance greater than the length of said member, and in a predetermined ratio, and means adapted to secure said indicator member to said moving means in various relations to said interrupting means, substantially as described.

' 9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a feed-screw, means adapted to rotate the same, means adapted to interrupt such rotation, an indicator member rotatably mounted upon said screw and operatively connected with said interrupting means, and means adapted to secure said member to said screw in various relations to said interrupting means, said member and interrupting means being relatively adjustable through more than one rotation of said member, and in a predetermined ratio, substantially as described.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of a feed-screw; a pawl and ratchet for rotating the same; means adapted to interrupt such rotation; an indicator member rotatably mounted upon said screw and having geared connection with said interrupting means adapted to permit more than one rotation of said screw, but in a predetermined ratio to the movement of said means; and other means adapted to secure said member to said screw in various relations to said interrupting means.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of a feed screw; a member having frictional engagement therewith adapted to rotate the same; an independently mounted gear provided with means adapted in one position of said gear to lock said screw against rotation; a pinion, consti tuting an indicator member, rotatably mounted upon said screw and meshing with said gear; and means adapted to secure said pinion to said screw in any desired position of said gear.

12. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a feed screw; means for rotating the same, such means including a member rotatably mounted upon said screw, means normally frictionally securing said member to said screw, and driving means for said member; a pinion rotatably mounted upon said feed screw and bearing a dial; a fixed pointer cooperative with said dial; means adapted to secure said pinion to said screw; and a movable toothed member meshing with said pinion and provided with a stop adapted to engage said pinion and thereby lock said screw against rotation.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination of a feed screw; means for rotating the same, such means including a member rotatably mounted upon said screw, means normally frictionally securing said member to said screw, and driving means for said member; a pinion rotatably mounted upon said feed screw and bearing a dial; a fixed pointer cooperative with said dial; means adapted to secure said pinion to said screw; a gear independently mounted and meshing with said pinion, and a stop adjustably mounted on said gear and adapted to engage said dial and thereby lock said screw against rotation.

14. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a feed screw; a drive shaft; a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted upon said screw; means normally frictionally securing said wheel to said screw; a pawl-arm and pawl for said ratchet wheel mounted upon'said screw; a lever arm and link operatively connecting said drive shaft with said pawl arm; a pinion rotatably mounted upon said feed-screw and bearing a dial; a fixed pointer cooperative with said dial; a hand wheel mounted upon said feedscrew so as to rotate therewith; clutch means adapted to secure said pinion to said wheel and thus to said screw; and a gear rotatably mounted upon said drive shaft and meshing with said pinion, said gear bearing a stop adapted to engage said dial and thereby lock said screw against rotation.

15. In a device of the character described, the combination of a feed screw; a drive shaft; a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted upon said screw; means normally frictionally securing said wheel to said screw; a pawl-arm and pawl for said ratchet wheel mounted upon said screw; a lever arm and link operatively connecting said drive shaft with said pawl arm; a pinion rotatably mounted upon said feed-screw and bearing.

a dial; a fixed pointer cooperative with said dial; a hand wheel mounted upon said feedscrew 'so as to rotate therewith; clutch means adapted to secure said pinion to said wheel and thus to said screw; a gear rotatably mounted upon said drive shaft and meshing with said pinion, the diameter of said gear being greater than that of said pinion; and a stop adjustably mounted on said gear and adapted to engage said dial and thereby lock said screw against rotation.

Signed by me, this 26th day of December, 1907.

ERNEST J. LEES.

Attested by E. R. Bonn, J NO. F. OBERLIN. 

